A solar-powered Toyota Prius is in the works

MANILA: The adoption of hybrid and pure electric cars is on the rise. The process might be slower than we anticipated, but the numbers are definitely increasing. Another alternative fuel that has been in the talks for long is solar energy. However, the development has been a little too slow and we still haven’t quite figured out a way to build a fully solar-powered car. Toyota, the Japanese automaker, has got some interesting ideas, though. While it is clear that a car solely powered by solar energy might take decades before coming out, Toyota is working on enhancing the range and efficiency of hybrid cars using solar energy.

In conjunction with NEDO and Sharp, Toyota is developing solar panels for the Prius PHEV. The hybrid sedan with solar panels installed on its body will receive an additional range of 44.5 km after a full day in sunlight. Speaking of numbers, 860 W of power can be generated by the solar panels that are installed on the hood, roof,

and some other parts of the Prius PHEV. In the past as well, Toyota has offered the Prius PHEV with solar panel installed on its roof. However, the range was enhanced by a mere 6.1 km. Also, the solar panel couldn’t charge the car batteries while driving and the power generated by it was sent to the auxiliary battery only.

Thanks to the development that has transpired, the new system can charge the car batteries while driving as well. Also, the new solar cells can now convert power at a rate of 34% compared to 22.5% on the previous generation model.

Toyota will be testing the solar-powered or shall we say partially solar-powered Prius PHEV extensively in Japan. The test results will then help the automaker and the two other colleagues NEDO and Sharp in developing the technology and give it the final form before rolling it out in the markets across the planet.

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